Students color & draw in the facial features. There’s also a generic pattern, plus one featuring Wemberly, as well as a blank template where students can draw themselves inside the “worry circle”.

The cover is then glued to the top of their writing prompt so it flips up.

2. So that you can do a variety of quick, easy & fun writing activities throughout the week, I’ve also included 4, “point of view” postcards, where students pretend they are Wemberly and then write a postcard to a classmate.

3. Students need to know that everyone worries; it’s normal and there are coping skills to help. Which is why I also designed the “Flip the Face” (Mice Advice) craftivity.

Students color, cut and glue Wemberly’s face together, so that it flips up to reveal something they do to help with their worries.

I think this prompt is easier for students to “share” because they feel they are helping others.

4. As another story extension, I’ve also included severalVenn diagram options, where students compare Jewel with Wemberly, as well as Wemberly to themselves.

For a fun icebreaker, have students partner up, and do the “Venn Friend” activity, which make an adorable back to school bulletin board.

5. A discussion helps to alleviate fears as well, so I’ve included a whole-group activity, comparing young people’s worries with those of adults.

6. To help get rid of worries, I’ve also included 2 worksheet options, where students write their worries on a large W or “pencil page”, then rip their worries into small pieces, ball them up into a wad, then “toss their cares into the trash”.

7. On the same order, is “Give your worry warts away”, where students give their warts to Wharton the toad, who never worries about anything.

The warts are simply colorful stickers they sprinkle on one of two toad options.

To expedite coloring, I ran the patterns off on tan construction paper. Students add some shading with crayons.

On the back of Wharton, they write down 3-8 worries that they have, numbering them as they go.

On the front of their toad, they number that many "worry wart" stickers.

The "worry ball" that Wharton sits on says: Don't Worry Be "HOppy". While students are working, I play Bobby McFerrin's song. Click the link to have a listen.

I've included several photo posters of real toads to help introduce your lesson, then later they can spice up your bulletin board display.

* A “Chalk” behavior modification, positive reinforcement activity, that will help promote working as a team to achieve a desired goal, building self-esteem at the same time.

* Black & White “color me” headers, for a sidewalk chalk treat Baggie, as well as patterns in full color for preschool, kindergarten, & first grade, with a blank template for you to fill in with any other grade. I’ve also included a generic one you can give at anytime of the year.

When students are reading a book from your classroom library and discover that it needs some repair work, to avoid further damage, have them fill out an Rx form of what's wrong with the book and how you can fix it.

They tuck the note on the page that needs repair, so that the end sticks out and then drop the book in the "hospital" basket.

Repairing a book is a great job to delegate to a room or classroom helper.

There are two patterns on a page for easy printing, so why not make a "book hospital" for a fellow teacher or your librarian, as a "Hope you have a great year!" surprise.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for popping by.

I have a few more "back to school" ideas rolling around in my head, so I best make some notes before they flutter away.

Wishing you a day filled with giggles galore.

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." - Victor Borge

Besides number recognition the booklets also provide great fine motor practice while cutting & gluing.

Each booklet has a bit of a different shape, as they follow the contours of the numbers, which adds interest to their appearance, as well as provides “curved” cutting practice as well.

The assembly of each booklet is also simple, and is a great way to practice listening & following directions too.

For the inside pages, children trace and write the number & word, then color the group of that many things.

I include number wordsbecause even though I’m not teaching “reading” or number word recognition at this time, I’ve included it “on and in” the booklet, for several reasons.

At the same time we are learning numbers, children are also learning letters. Seeing them together helps kiddos differentiate the two.

Children will also realize that a number symbol has a word that’s also associated with it, and that those words, are made up of letters.

Even though children might not be able to correctly match up a word to a number yet, I’ve discovered that by continuously seeing numbers with their matching words, my students were successfully recognizing them later!

It’s sort of like being able to read the word Cheerios, or McDonalds simply because they are associating.

When everyone is done with their booklet, we “read” it together.

We count from 0 to that number, flash that many fingers, then clap each letter as we spell the word.

You can send each booklet home after your kiddos create it, or you can have children keep them in a 5x7 manila envelope.

Holding the envelope horizontally, I slit the top. Students seal the flap shut .

After they have colored the picture, they glue their worksheet on the front.

When we finish studying a number, children trace and write it, then tuck the booklet inside the envelope.

I also give my kiddos a "student number". This matches the alphabetical order of their first names; Anna, Bill, Bob etc.

Along with their name, they write this number on any work that I keep for folders, portfolios etc.

This way, students can assist me in filing "stuff", which I keep in tubs. This takes just a minute, and finding a student's work is a breeze.

Plus I never have piles of "need to file" papers all over the place!

Because students are tracing and writing the number on the front, I can also see at a glance, who was absent and is missing a number.

After we are done with the envelopes, I call for a number; as we all, slowly count out loud.

Number one student brings theirs up, then 2 and so on. Everything is now numerically filed and easy to accesss, in a plastic shoebox.

These are great to take out and share during parent-teacher conferences too.

Once all of our booklets are done, I have students sit on the floor and arrange them in order from 0-10, practicing the "sequencing" standard in a fun way.

The packet also includes a certificate of praise, as well as several “I Spy a Number” worksheets. This game is a super-fun way to whole group assess, while practicing number recognition.

Nowadays, our classrooms are filled with lots of diversity, which sometimes makes starting a new school year a bit scary.

I truly believe that making the time to do some “get to know you” activities the first few days of school, is so very important in building community, camaraderie and a team spirit.

Once those things are established, children build friendships. That bond helps them enjoy school more, learn better and feel safer.

Discipline problems are lessened as well because of mutual feelings of genuine caring and respect.

With that in mind, I designed this super-fun icebreaker craftivity, I call it, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, which not only helps everyone get to know each other, but also practices writing skills in a fun way.

I find that students truly enjoy sharing things about themselves.

A bonus is that completed projects also make an awesome back to school bulletin board as well.

I’ve included a variety of posters, for your display.

There's also a nice selection of "Don't judge a book by its cover", thought-provoking photo posters.

Use them as an attention grabbing way to introduce the lesson, or jump start a discussion of why it’s important not to prejudge others.

Later, sprinkle them throughout your display of children's book stacks.

As another discussion starter, I've also included a set of 4, interesting quote cards. These too, can become part of your display.

So that this idea works for a variety of grades, ages and skill levels, I’ve included patterns for lower elementary kiddos, as well as patterns for older students.

There are 6 young boy "topper" options, along with 6 for girls.

Patterns come in black & white so students can color them. I've also included several in color, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share.

So that you can differentiate your lessons, I’ve included a simple flip booklet with just 4 pages for little ones, as well as pattern pages for a super-cool schoolhouse, where the pages are cut down the middle, so the "double-doors" of the school house flip open on both sides.

I purposely did not number the pages, so you can check comprehension.

This also allows you to choose less pages for preschool students, who can easily sort beginning-middle-& end, then retell the story with a limited number of “picture prompts”.

Simply run the schoolhouse pattern off on construction paper or card stock. Students color & trim.

Open the doors to the schoolhouse to retell the story.

Students color, cut & collate the pages into a little booklet, which is then glued to the base of the schoolhouse.

For writing practice, I’ve also included several prompt options that are written on the schoolhouse base patterns. Simply choose which is most appropriate for your kiddos, or you could give them a choice.

Students color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together.

With just six, nice-sized graphics, this is easy peasy for even preschool children, making it perfect for explaining the beginning-middle & end of a story too.

As children pull on the end of the “slider-strip” the various pictures go through the “window” on the “door” of the schoolhouse, so that students can take turns retelling the story to a partner or reading buddy, then take their slider home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.

All three packets include black & white patterns, as well as colorful ones, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share.

As another way to assess comprehension, as well as include more writing practice, I’ve also included a “Here’s What Happened…” worksheet, which can be done independently, or as a whole group with younger children. This worksheet is included in all three packets as well.

No matter if you're flippng & flapping, or turning & learning, or simply sliding along, I hope you have an absolute blast with your new students.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also a little something for back to school.

I found an "author unknown" quote in various place on the internet, and decided to revamp & expand it, making this "poster poem" appropriate for a teacher to share with their students.

You can hang it up as a poster, or tuck it in your "Welcome Packet". Just a little something fun for "Meet & Greet the Teacher" night too.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

As we head into the weekend we will be topping 90 degrees. I'm so grateful that we have air conditioning in our home.

Despite the heat, I may venture out to walk my poodle pup and water the flowers. Wishing you a relaxing and super-fun summer & jitter-free school year.

Oh and if you too love "First Day Jitters" be sure and check out Danneberg's "Last Day Blues" it too is a sweet story that proves teachers & students have a lot more in common that they think.

Whether you're looking for a little something to save your sanity, and fill up a bit of time during the last week or school, or you need a writing prompt for back to school, you'll “TOE-tally” love the versatility of my 2 newest packets.

I call these “double duty” writing prompt crafts because I’ve included patterns for the end of the year, as well as ones for back to school.

First up is the super-cute "TOE-tally"writing prompt packet, which includes 3 different writing prompt crafts. Plus each of those has several options too!

All of the writing prompts use the “TOE-tally” play-on-words. The graphics vary, but all feature cute little toes somewhere in the picture.

For the 1st option, the “shorts” of the child flip up to reveal the writing prompt. There are 4 black & white boy options for students to choose from, as well as 4 girl patterns.

Since completed projects make an adorable bulletin board, I've included a set of matching posters for your display.

All of the craftivities have a colorful option as well, so that teachers can quickly & easily make an example to share. To give you some ideas, I’ve also included my completed writing prompt samples.

The 2nd optionis a card. The sweet graphics feature 10 toes peeking out of a pair of flip flops.

I've also included some "I'm wishing you a 'TOE-tally awesome summer/school year" tags, with 10, on a one-page pattern.

Attach to an end or beginning of the year treat for your students.

I buy the bags of mini candy bars or Skittles at The Dollar Store.

They usually have 10-12 in a bag, so it's an inexpensive little surprise, that's so appreciated by my kiddos.

I have matching bulletin board posters for this craft as well.

Finally, the 3rd option sports a child chilling out under a beach umbrella, which flips up to reveal the prompt.

For this craftivity, there are 2 boy patterns, plus 2 girl templates for students to choose from.

I've included a set of 4, matching posters to use for this bulletin board display as well.

The other writing prompt craftivity packet is entitled, "Steppin' Into ..." These craftivities also serve double duty.

End of the YearOption: Students trace and cut out one of their feet & then glue it to the base of their flip flop.

To add extra pizzazz and 3D pop, the “straps” for the top of the flip flop, are strips of paper that stick up.

You can also use quarter inch ribbon for something different.

I’ve included a daisy pattern as well, should some of your girls want to jazz things up a bit more.

Adding a heart with a school photo creates even more interest, making this a sweet keepsake as well.

They might also like to add glitter for “nail polish” & a flat-backed “rhinestone” for a toe ring.

Students glue their completed foot to one of the corners of their “Steppin’ Into Summer…” writing prompt paper.

There are 4 black & white options for students to choose from; as well as 2 colorful ones, so that teachers can quickly & easily make an example to share.

Completed projects make a terrific bulletin board. I’ve also included a poster for the center of your summer display, plus a different one for your back to school bulletin board.

Back To School Option: Summer flies and school has a way of “sneaking” up on you, so this “flip up” sneaker craft, features a pair of tennis shoes.

The black & white “cover” pattern, can be colored with markers or crayons, or you can expedite things & run the template off on a variety of colors of construction paper.

At the top of the sneakers is a glue tab, which is glued to the top of the matching blank base. This “hinge” is flipped up to reveal the completed writing prompt underneath the cover.

There are two prompt options: Option 1. “Here’s how I feel about stepping into a new school year!” I’ve also included patterns for “Here’s how I feel about stepping into 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th grade…” with a blank option, so you can write in a different grade.

Option 2.“As you step into a new school year, here’s some advice:” For this end of the year writing prompt, your students write some advice, to your new students coming in the fall.

Tuck these away, then on the first day of school, lay them on your students’ desk, or attach to a locker door in the hallway.

If you’re a Pete the Catfan, this “sneaker craft” is a fun activity that you can transition to, after reading one of Pete’s shoe stories.

It's a fun icebreaker & interesting way to get to know your students too.

Simply choose the appropriate writing prompt “cover” for the flip-up booklet: * “Diving Into Summer and Looking Forward to…” * “Diving Into a New School Year and Looking Forward to…” Or

Use the “Diving Into ____________ and Looking Forward to…”option, so that students can fill in their new grade, or something else that they are looking forward to. (Diving into sports & looking forward to playing soccer & baseball.)

As you can see by the photo on your right, the writing prompt is the "title" on the "cover" of a mini booklet that flips up to reveal what students have written.

The writing prompts are also easily diversified for various ability levels & grades; as you can keep things simple for younger students, who can write one or two sentences, or a list; while having preschool children dictate a few one-word answers.

Older students will be expected to write one or two pages of more in-depth explanations. There’s a blank page pattern for this.

As with all of my products, I’ve included completed samples to give you some ideas, as well as enable you to quickly & easily zip off an example to share with your students.

Adding a sprinkle of glitter and a school photo, along with a few 3D options, gives extra pizzazz to the project.

Completed projects make a terrific bulletin board, or wall display in the hall. Because students trace & trim their own foot, each project looks a bit different.

I’ve included several "Big Splash!" posters you can use for that as well.

For additional writing options, there’s also an “I’m Ready to Make a Big Splash!” writing prompt cover, which works for both summer & back to school, allowing you a chance to touch on idioms if you want.

To help you grab that extra teachable moment, I’ve included some background information, samples & links about idioms, as well as a definition poster.

Introducing this terminology is not just for “big kids”, as my 1st graders easily understood the concept & excitedly shared all sorts of examples!

Since the end of the year is fast-approaching for many of us, you may be thinking about an end-of-the year slideshow, or perhaps you're getting ready for preschool or <strong>kindergarten graduation</strong>.

If so, you'll find today's featured FREEBIE especially helpful. It's an alphabetical list of 150, (teacher tested) songs suitable for your end of the year programs.

I hope you find it a helpful stress-buster, and one less thing you have to look for.

Well that's it for today. I marathon-shopped for flowers and plants all day yesterday, so I'm super-excited to play in the mud this afternoon.

Wishing you a sunshine & love-filled day.

"A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfull good intentions. They thrive because someone expended loving effort on them." -Unknown

In this packet there are several options. Children can make the cat head, then complete that worksheet and attach it under the “Check Meowt!” header, or they can simply fill in and color the worksheet.

If your kiddos are crazy over Pete the Cat, then run the pattern off on blue paper, if not, a variety of crazy colored cats makes for a vibrant display.

There’s an easier version for younger students, as well as one with more questions for older children.

PK kiddos can dictate their answers to a reading buddy, classroom aide or the worksheet can be completed at home with the help of a parent.

The inspiration for this craftivity came from the song “I’m a Cat”, which is on YouTube. The link’s in the packet.

If you like it, why not play it while children work on their “Check Meowt!” writing prompt, or use it to introduce the lesson.

Completed projects make a cute bulletin board.

I’ve included several posters to use for the center of your display, as well as a color copy of the worksheet so you can easily make a sample to share.

While I was in the "creating cats" mood, I thought it would be fun to learn about, and practice the 5 senses with a cat theme as well.

This packet includes an Itty Bitty “My Cat” booklet, as a fun way to reinforce the 5 senses as this cool cat sees, hears, smells, & tastes things as he moseys along. When you pet him, how does he feel?

Children color their cover, complete the prompt by writing one or two words of what their cat saw, heard, tasted etc. then draw a picture.

Encourage older students to write short, but descriptive sentences and turn this activity into an emergent reader.

When students have completed their worksheet, they cut out the pages, put them in any order they want, then staple them to the “purr-fect” section on the cover of their booklet.

There are pages with word prompts for K-1, as well as ones with picture prompts for PK kiddos.

I’ve also included pages that go along with the story “Pete The Cat’s New White Shoes”.